1788 - First Meeting of Royal Irish Academy

The Royal Irish Academy held its first official meeting in Dublin, marking the beginning of Ireland's premier academic institution. Established by royal charter, the Academy brought together leading scholars in sciences and humanities. This institution would go on to play a crucial role in preserving Irish manuscripts and promoting scholarly research across all disciplines.

1917 - Count Plunkett Defies British Authorities

Count George Noble Plunkett, father of 1916 martyr Joseph Mary Plunkett, delivered a fiery speech in Dungarvan despite a British ban on public gatherings. His defiance of martial law restrictions rallied support for the growing independence movement. The incident highlighted the increasing tension between British authorities and nationalist leaders in the aftermath of the Easter Rising.

1942 - IRA Activity Peaks in Northern Campaign

The IRA's Northern Campaign reached a crucial phase with coordinated attacks on military installations along the border. Despite initial successes, the campaign was hampered by intense police surveillance and lack of public support. The operations marked one of the last major IRA initiatives during the Emergency period of World War II.

1973 - Sunningdale Agreement Talks Begin

Preliminary discussions for what would become the Sunningdale Agreement commenced in London between British and Irish officials. These talks represented the first serious attempt to establish power-sharing in Northern Ireland. The negotiations would lead to a brief but significant experiment in cross-community governance before its collapse in 1974.